Crucial Questions You Should Ask About Your Car Insurance When Your Teenager Has A Hardship Driver's License
If there has been a significant or abrupt problem recently at home and you have found that your mature and responsible young teenager must take on some extra burdens for the family, it is important to know that he or she may be able to get a driver's license under some circumstances. However, allowing your young teenager to assume that responsibility is an enormous decision and can impact your family in a myriad of ways. Therefore, it is a good idea to be aware of the information listed below when you are making the determination as to whether or not your young teen should be allowed to drive a motor vehicle without direct supervision on the open roads.
What Types Of Discounts Will Your Teenager Be Eligible For?
While you have probably been looking forward to seeing your child behind the wheel for the first time for many years, it is likely to be occurring a bit sooner than you planned. As such, it is a good idea to determine what type of discounts your child might be eligible for. Unfortunately, some of the discounts that older teens can access may not be available to your young driver.
For instance, you have probably heard of a discount given to students who are on the honor roll. If your child is 14 and qualifies for a hardship license, it is possible that he or she has not yet completed junior high. In addition, you may also find that your teenager is not yet of an age to take an actual driving class, in which case getting the discounted insurance rates for doing so is impossible. As a result, review your options with your insurance professional to be sure that you are getting the most affordable insurance.
What Happens If Your Teenager's Driving Does Not Adhere To The Requirements Of The Hardship License?
It is very important for both you and your teenager to remember that there are probably some very strict requirements that he or she must adhere to when driving. Common examples will relate to the reason that your teenager became eligible for that type of license. For instance, a license may limit the times that your new driver can be behind the wheel if driving privileges have been granted because your child needs to work to help support the family. It could also prevent a young driver from driving anywhere but to or from school and medical care if someone in the home cannot get to medical appointments without their assistance.
If your child is found driving somewhere that is not on the permissible list or at an unapproved time, it is possible that he or she could lose their license, or the state might not choose to renew it. It is also possible that your insurance company might decline payments for any accidents or injuries that occurred while the driver in question was not in compliance with the terms and conditions of their hardship license. Therefore, it only makes sense that, given the complexities associated with hardship licenses and the differences in how hardship licenses are processed from one state to another, you need to work closely with your insurance agent to make sure that you, your teenager, and the vehicle continue to be adequately insured.
In conclusion, under very specific circumstances you may find that your state might permit teenagers who are at least 14 years of age to obtain limited driving privileges. If your child is eligible to obtain that type of hardship driver's license, it is very important for you to consider the facts provided above and the impact that a young teen driver can have on your insurance prior to giving your consent for that monumental event. For more information on how to insure your teen driver, contact an insurance agency such as Wyatt Insurance Agency.
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